Matusz on Matusz

Matusz on Matusz
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz retired six of the first seven batters he faced before the third inning. That's when his start took a turn for the worse. "Just started leaving the ball out over the plate," Matusz said after allowing three runs and four hits. "Got a couple guys on base, and (Jim) Thome got up there and he's the type of hitter in that lineup who will hurt you and he did. Got a little erratic, but just battled my way through." Thome drove a fastball over center fielder...
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Rough third inning for Matusz (Neshek replaces him)

Rough third inning for Matusz (Neshek replaces him)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brian Matusz had allowed four runs in four starts this spring before today, but the Phillies almost matched that total in the third inning. Matusz gave up three runs and four hits, and walked former Oriole Lou Montanez, in a 27-pitch inning. Freddy Galvis led off with a single before pitcher Roy Halladay struck out. Jim Rollins and Placido Polanco followed with singles, which delivered the Phillies' first run, and Jim Thome doubled to center field for a 3-2 lead. Xavier...
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Chavez, Miller closer to returning (Reimold homers again)

Chavez, Miller closer to returning (Reimold homers again)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Outfielders Endy Chavez and Jai Miller remain out of the lineup for today's game against the Phillies, but they're getting closer to returning from their respective injuries. Chavez hasn't played since Wednesday because of a strained groin, which happened after he laid down a bunt and raced up the line. "Getting better every day," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't have him going over to Bradenton (Monday night) right now, but that could change. I'm hoping...
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Dontrelle Willis: "I just need more experience"

Dontrelle Willis: "I just need more experience"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dontrelle Willis made his first appearance with the Orioles yesterday and walked the first three batters he faced. He also mixed in a wild pitch. He hadn't pitched in a while, and it showed. "Early on I was a little shaky, but once I got settled in I felt fine," he said this morning. "That's the one thing about baseball - you take a couple days off and it's like a whole different world as far as the speed. But I settled in. I just need more game experience....
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Orioles and Phillies lineups

Orioles and Phillies lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm heading to Clearwater for the second time this spring. And for the second time, left-hander Brian Matusz will oppose Roy Halladay. Matusz is preparing for his third game against the Phillies this spring. He's allowed one run and 10 hits in nine innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts. In his last three starts, including a March 15 game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Matusz has allowed one run and 12 hits in 13 innings, with one walk and 13 strikeouts. Endy Chavez...
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Showalter speaks after 12-3 win

Showalter speaks after 12-3 win
SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Lindstrom retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, striking out one in the Orioles' 12-3 victory over the Nationals before 6,665 at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles outhit the Nationals 17-4. "This is just about the stage of the spring when you see the bats start to catch up with some of the pitching, and you see the pitchers start to go through - not a dead arm - but the novelty's worn off of everything and guys are kind of going through a little dip in...
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Arrieta on Arrieta

Arrieta on Arrieta
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta met with reporters have going five innings and throwing 72 pitches. Here are the highlights: "I settled in a little more as the game went on. Was throwing across my body a little bit at the start of the game. Felt uncomfortable there for a little while, but I was able to get outs. Had that walk in the first. Other than that, I forced contact. Got behind a few guys, but even the 2-0, 2-1 counts, was able to make quality pitches away. Got some ground balls, got...
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D-train slow to get untracked (updated)

D-train slow to get untracked (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dontrelle Willis made his Orioles debut this afternoon, and his control issues weren't left behind in Phillies camp. Willis walked the first three batters he faced and threw a wild pitch. He almost escaped the jam when Jesus Flores popped up and Corey Brown grounded to second base, but the throw to first was late and a run scored. Third baseman Mark Reynolds committed a throwing error that scored another run and extended Willis' stay on the mound. Steve Lombardozzi flied to...
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Big day for Wieters, Jones, Betemit and Arrieta (and more)

Big day for Wieters, Jones, Betemit and Arrieta (and more)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles had interest in Edwin Jackson over the winter, but they weren't willing to give him more than a three-year deal. They gave him quite a beating today. Jackson allowed 10 runs (seven earned) and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings, and the Orioles have built a 10-1 lead over the Nationals. Jackson walked two, struck out four and threw 75 pitches. Matt Wieters has singled twice, homered and driven in five runs. He began the day batting .129 with one homer and one RBI. Only...
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Is Jones cleaning up? (O's lead 5-1)

Is Jones cleaning up? (O's lead 5-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta threw 28 pitches in the top of the first inning today, only 14 for strikes. He allowed two hits and walked a batter, and the Orioles quickly trailed the Nationals 1-0. Arrieta's fastball was mostly 94 mph. I saw him hit 95 with at least one pitch. The Orioles tied the game in the bottom half on two-out singles by Wilson Betemit, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters. Jones was thrown out at the plate after Betemit scored. Jones reached on an infield hit. He's batting...
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Pregame notes and Nats lineup (with quotes)

Pregame notes and Nats lineup (with quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dontrelle Willis could make his Orioles debut this afternoon against the Nationals. He's listed as one of the available pitchers, along with Darren O'Day, who's been sidelined with a strained groin muscle. Reliever Jason Berken will appear in his first game Sunday against the Phillies in Clearwater. He's been recovering from a hamstring injury. Tsuyoshi Wada is slated to pitch in his second Grapefruit League game Tuesday against the Twins in Sarasota. Wei-Yin Chen is...
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Markakis out of lineup

Markakis out of lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Given the choice to play or sit, Nick Markakis decided to stick to his original schedule. He won't play today against the Nationals at Ed Smith Stadium. Manager Buck Showalter wrote out two lineups yesterday, including one with Markakis serving as the designated hitter. He left the decision to Markakis. "I was supposed to have off today on the original schedule, so we're going to stick with it and have a couple days off and get back in there," Markakis said. For the...
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A few postgame notes after the Orioles' 6-5 victory

A few postgame notes after the Orioles' 6-5 victory
SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Robert Andino each drove in two runs today, and Zach Phillips retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, striking out two, to preserve the Orioles' 6-5 victory over the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. The Red Sox scored twice against Armando Galarraga over two innings before Phillips entered the game. One run off Galarraga was unearned after shortstop Ryan Flaherty committed his third error of the spring on a shallow fly ball to left...
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Hammel on Hammel (O's win 6-5)

Hammel on Hammel (O's win 6-5)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Robert Andino's two-out double in the bottom of the fourth inning scored Mark Reynolds, who also doubled, and increased the Orioles' lead to 5-2. The Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fifth against Brad Bergesen, but a double play ended the rally. Bergesen tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking two. Kevin Gregg has replaced him in the sixth. Jason Hammel left today's game after two innings because his pitch count rose to 59. "A lot...
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Short outing for Hammel (Markakis homers)

Short outing for Hammel (Markakis homers)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel stuck around for only two innings today, leaving the game with the score tied, 2-2, and his pitch count at 59. Hammel retired the side in order in the first inning, striking out two, but he allowed two runs and three hits in the second, with two walks and two more strikeouts. He needed 39 pitches to get through the inning, and Brad Bergesen replaced him to start the third. Hammel threw 36 strikes among his 59 pitches. In four outings, Hammel has allowed four...
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Talking about Tillman (Jones homers)

Talking about Tillman (Jones homers)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman faced three batters yesterday in Fort Myers, struck out all three and was done for the afternoon. Should we read anything into that one inning against the Twins? Are the Orioles considering him for a late-inning relief role? The safe answer is "not at this time." Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that the subject has been broached in the past. "That's not the first time," he said. "That's come up two years ago, a year ago. You've also got to think about...
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Pregame notes on Hardy, Chavez, Simon and more (with quotes)

Pregame notes on Hardy, Chavez, Simon and more (with quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters this morning that shortstop J.J. Hardy will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Nationals in Sarasota. Hardy is taking batting practice despite receiving treatment for a sore right arm. "He wants to play, but I'm going to give him one more day." Showalter said. "Just want to get it resolved. It's taking just a tad longer than usual. Usually it's resolved by now. It's nothing he couldn't play with. There are a lot...
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Willis still waiting to pitch

Willis still waiting to pitch
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Dontrelle Willis, signed to a minor league deal earlier this week, is still waiting to get into his first game with the Orioles. "Hopefully soon. I don't know," he said. Willis threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and has been playing catch. "I'm just trying to catch up," he said. "I feel good. I feel like my strength is getting back, so that's good." The Phillies released Willis on Friday. "It's just about getting the strength back and the timing...
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Hardy out of lineup again

Hardy out of lineup again
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of the lineup again today because of a sore right arm. Robert Andino will make his second consecutive start at shortstop. Hardy didn't throw yesterday and also will rest today. "We just want to get it under control," Hardy said, adding that he could play through the discomfort it if were the regular season. "My arm, shoulder, it's just not feeling good. It's something I deal with every year. It's a nagging thing, but it's sticking...
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Chen and Showalter speak after 11-1 victory

Chen and Showalter speak after 11-1 victory
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Trent Mummey hit a two-run homer today to complete the scoring in the Orioles' 11-1 victory over the Twins at Hammond Stadium. Dana Eveland gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning. He tossed three perfect innings in his previous outing. Chris Tillman struck out the side in the eighth in his shortest outing this spring - manager Buck Showalter wanted him to turn it loose for one inning - and Pat Neshek retired the side in order in the ninth. Wei-Yin...
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